VIewpoint: Realizing the Potential of Livestock to End Malnutrition

By David Phiri*

ADDIS ABABA – The Eastern Africa subregion is endowed with huge livestock resources. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of Africa's livestock is located in this subregion. With nearly 132 million cattle in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda alone, the five countries in the subregion account for about 9 percent of the global cattle population of 1.5 billion.

Assessments also indicate that as many as 180 million chickens, 225 million goats and sheep, and 14 million camels are residing in the subregion.

In Eastern Africa, 60 to 80 percent of rural households keep animals, under extensive farming systems, mainly through pastoralism, to meet livelihood necessities; while governments consider it as a vital resource, contributing significantly to food security and foreign currency.

At farm level, small holders get direct cash income, which is used to meet household needs like paying school fees and health care, as well as, and most importantly, buying non-livestock sources of food, by selling livestock and livestock products (e.g. milk, eggs, meat).

In addition, livestock are one of the major assets owned by households to maintain the survival of family members in times of crises, as livestock can be accumulated in good times and sold when the need arises. Animals are central to rural farming systems, providing draught power, as well as manure, which is an efficient and sustainable method for maintaining soil fertility, quality and water retention.

At national level, livestock offer countries with 30 to 80 percent of agricultural Gross Domestic Product. Strategically located near the livestock markets of the Arabian Gulf, the Eastern Africa subregion is Africa's largest exporter of live animals, generating more than USD 1 billion annually through exports of animals and animal products.

Livestock's role in improving food security and nutrition outcomes is well recognized. Animal source foods are the best source of protein and micro-nutrients that are essential for improving children's cognitive and physical development as well as school attendance and performance. Similarly, well-nourished mothers, with animal products, are more likely to have better health, infants with healthy birth weights, and such children are less likely to ever suffer from malnutrition.

Previous FAO emergency projects in Eastern Africa have shown that providing animal feed to livestock during droughts not only saved households’ livestock assets, but also maintained higher milk production. Children and mothers consumed more milk per day (more than 200 ml per person per day), which significantly reduced risk of acute child malnutrition, stunting, wasting and underweight. Additionally, households which received livestock feed, were able to sell on average 1.5 litres of milk per day for income to purchase food.

Ultimately, animal source foods can make vital contributions to efforts to meet the global nutrition targets for 2025 endorsed by the World Health Assembly and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preventing stunting among children under five years, low birthweight, and anemia in women of reproductive age.

Given its indispensable role in food security, the livestock sector will need to transform and be able to contribute to the fight against the ever rising food insecurity and malnutrition challenges this subregion is facing. This transformation process, in turn, requires countries to overcome some challenges that the livestock sector faces.

As reiterated in many reports, the sector in the subregion is severely hampered by disease outbreaks, lack of both quality and quantity of feed, scarcity of water, and limited access to veterinary and extension services. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change, natural disasters and conflicts; as well as poor market access and widespread illegal trade.

Tackling these challenges can bring about major changes in terms of income generation, employment and, most importantly, improving nutritional outcomes across the subregion. The following measures, among others, can contribute to improving the sector's performance:

Countries must build today the foundations to steer the livestock sector on a sustainable development path to curtail the rampant food insecurity and malnutrition in the subregion.

FAO supports its member nations and partners to strengthen the contribution of livestock systems towards achieving food security and nutrition. Our work on sustainable livestock systems is at the interface of the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life.

In Somalia for example, as fodder production is inadequate to sustain current levels of livestock and milk production, capacity was built to change the attitudes and practices of fodder producers to improve animal nutrition. Mechanization and increased used of crop residues for livestock feed resulted in increased income from fodder production to improve household and community resilience, and the market system improved to promote a steady supply of quality fodder.

Improved feeding leads to higher production and productivity of dairy cows and goats, and as was shown in Kenya, translating directly into better nutrition of women and children, as well as increased incomes. Innovations, such as improved feeding, genetics, animal health, husbandry practices and information technology, can drive up productivity of livestock, feed crops and pastures. This would boost the provision of energy and many essential nutrients such as protein, fatty acids and micronutrients, contributing greatly to better nutrition.

Sustainable transformation of livestock systems should ensure that natural resources are used efficiently to minimize the hazards on biodiversity, ensuring a better environment, where the best possible health and welfare of humankind and the animals are safeguarded.

The transformation should ensure that the diversity of livestock systems builds upon the multiple contributions of livestock towards a better life, while being fully integrated into rural development policy.

David Phiri* is FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative to the African Union and UNECA

Editor's note: The article was provided to the EM by FAO East Africa, and it reflects the author's opinion only, and not necessarily the views of the editorial opinion of EM News.